From there we went up North to the border of Lebanon. Toured 2 bases right on the border. I'd been to another one a few years back with Shurat HaDin, where we observed Hezbollah positions. Now, there are no more Hezbollah there, confirmed by the soldiers and pretty obvious, at least to the naked eye. The needs on the bases were primarily housing needs. The Knesset Social Welfare lobby plans to provide Chanukkah gifts to those living up north, particularly military serving there.

Finally, on Monday we went to a Special forces military base in Netanya, again toured the facility. This is one of the main bases for groups going on incursions into the territories or Lebanon for special operations. The soldiers did a live demonstration, where they arrested "alleged terrorists." Got some very interesting pictures of that. Then we did a presentation of gifts to these soldiers (amazingly nice back packs) - about 60 of them. They had me share briefly with them. I was surprised, not prepared but quite moved. A number of them appreciated my words and one said it was deeply inspiring and that I was a tzadik - hmm - me and the Baal Shem. The soldiers were then leaving for a strike into Nablus.

Next, we traveled to the famous military police base where our Passover project occurred. The commander remembered me. We toured the base. There were 500 lonely soldiers there from around the country. The gala was very moving. Buffet dinner, supplied by the Social Welfare Lobby (not us) for all the soldiers, music by surprise - Barry and Batya Segal - music by some of the soldiers both singing and orchestral, film presentation and then our presentations. I spoke for about 5 minutes, as well as the commanding general of the entire military police. I got a lot of cheering, explained I was representing the American Messianic Jewish community and shared some Scriptures about God's promises to Israel.

All in all it was a highly productive and exciting trip. I'm on my way to the airport now. I'll fill in more details later. Jamie 

 

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From Barry Rubin...

Shalom,
 
I'm going to add a little to Jamie's report. Sadly, I didn't get to go on maneuvers like he did. I couldn't get to Israel until Monday and had to deal with jet lag anyway. But on Tuesday, it was exciting, as Jamie reported, to see how the Israeli soldiers in this company of Military Police appreciated the excellent backpacks we were able to give them. Jamie's talk was also inspiring in that he gave the soldiers some words of encouragement from the Word of God. There was an outstanding trio of young singers that I thought were dynamite and would be well appreciated if they sang at a conference. Maybe we can arrange this.
 
On Wednesday, we went to Siroka Hospital, down in the Negev. I hadn't been in the south on my previous trips to Israel; it was quite desolate down there. The Siroka hospital is the only hospital serving the Negev and is helping both Jews and Arabs. The head of the hospital and the chiefs of several departments met with us. They have quite a work and need financial help. The admitting room for child cancer victims is overburdened but the staff has an amazingly good attitude. Repeatedly, I was told of their financial need and hope to be able to find some sources of funds.
 
After we (David and Martha Stern joined us to see what was happening, too), left the hospital we visited the Sterns' daughter, Miriam, and her husband, Avi, and 2 children from there. They have an herb farm and are doing well. I really enjoyed being on their farm and spending a few hours with Israelis that had been in the land a long time.
 
Rich Weiskopf suggested that I might want to visit the Segal's work, The Joseph Storehouse, as well as the MJAA's work, The Joseph Project. We visited both. This gave me a better idea of the kind of work in the Land.
 
Other than enjoying schwarma, hummus, and other Israeli foods, that's all I can add to Jamie's report. I look forward to participating in the phone conference next Sunday night.
 
Blessings,
Barry

captions by Rabbi Jamie Cowen